2006 Paris Auto Show Preview

The Paris auto show is a couple weeks away yet, but TheCarConnection's list of new vehicles due at the September show continues to grow. The introductions due for the show include:

Volkswagen IROC Concept Prefigures Scirocco

The clue is in the name. This is the VW Iroc, known until now simply as the Concept S. But here's the trick; put the S in front of the Iroc and it starts to make sense, previewing a sports coupe in the mold of the legendary Scirocco. There's another link to the newcomer's famous predecessor - this vibrant color is known as Viper Green, and exactly the same shade was available on the 1976 model range.

Size-wise, the Iroc is 1.4 inches longer and 1.6 inches wider than the Golf hatchback. And check out that nose; it could be the shape of things to come for VW front ends as the official line is that this is "a face that's not yet common to other vehicles in the range."

Inside there are four seats plus a 10.6 cubic foot trunk space, which can be increased with the rear chairs folded down. Bucket sports seats are fitted up front, as well as integrated five-point race harnesses. The instrument cluster is dominated by two large round ice-blue dials. They appear to the driver as cylinders with 12 illuminated bars creating a 3-D effect.

Under the bonnet, the car features VW's ground-breaking 210-hp TSI gas engine which has both a turbocharger and supercharger. It's recently debuted in the Golf in Europe, and will spread to other models soon. The concept rides on 19-inch alloys.

The Scirocco made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 1973 and was a huge success for VW. Styled at Italian design studio Giugiaro, it was launched the following year and more than half a million were sold. A second generation model followed in 1981 and went on until 1993. -Richard Yarrow

SEE MORE IROC PHOTOS HERE

Dodge Avenger Concept GivesParisPause

You knew it was coming-the Dodge twin to the Chrysler Sebring shown this year, and the next step in Chrysler Group's plan to boost worldwide sales. The twin arrives at the Paris auto show next week as the Avenger Concept, and as far as concepts go, this one's fairly production ready. The D-segment sedan is anything but boring: like the Sebring it has unconventional proportions and a rear pillar lifted straight from the Charger sedan. A big spoiler and 19-inch wheels put the concept squarely in the American-car idiom, but the concept vehicle's 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine seems suited perfectly for the Continent.

 

Ford's Paris List: Mondeo, Ranger, Galaxy

Ford's showing at next week'sParis auto expo will be filled with new product-European product, at least, not destined for the U.S. The highlight of the display likely will be the Mondeo, the mid-size sedan that now shares much of its architecture with the new Ford S-Max MPV and another Paris attendee, the company's new Galaxy minivan. The Mondeo will be shown as a wagon, in near-production form, with heavily evident influences from the Iosis concept shown at the Frankfurt auto show. The new Mondeo will spawn other body styles, Ford promises. Powertrains will range from a 2.0-liter turbodiesel to a 2.5-liter turbocharged gas engine.

Also on Ford's list is the new Galaxy minivan, which no longer shares anything with the VW Sharan; the production version of the left-drive Focus Coupe-Cabriolet; and a new Ranger pickup for Europe, unrelated to the U.S.truck, outfitted with a new 2.5-liter diesel engine with about 140 hp.

TheCarConnection previews the Paris show

 

VW Touareg Reskin Coming for Paris

Volkswagen's lightly reskinned Touareg will have its first public viewing at the Paris auto show. The updates include slight changes to the headlamps and taillamps, an updated interior with a new navigation system, and revisions to the mirrors. Beneath the metal, the Touareg has a revised anti-lock/stability control system with new anti-roll programming as well as an uprated range of engines. A 3.6-liter V-6 with about 260 hp will come to the U.S., while three diesel engines will for now be limited to other markets. A six-speed automatic is now standard.

Check out Volkswagen's rocking IROC concept coupe

Kia Pro-Cee'd

Kia has released the first pics of the concept it will show in Paris. The pro_cee'd (could you get any more punctuationally difficult, guys?) is essentially the three-door version of the cee'd crossover which goes into production later this year. The big wagon, which made its debut as a concept at the Geneva motor show and will be shown in production form at the Paris show, will take on the name of the concept (pronounced seed), Kia says, in homage to its roots: CE for "European Community" and ED for "European design." The new mid-size hatchback will be built in Kia's plant in Slovakia and is set to go on sale in December of this year across Europe. The three-door concept is expected to head into production also.